The COVID-19 pandemic has changed the way many businesses operate in order to keep their customers safe.
Peter’s Pantry is no different, as they required masks and gloves for quite some time, but according to Director Woody Schulander, that is no longer the case. He explained that his volunteers started complaining about wearing the masks, so he listened to them and made that an option.
Woody told SeehaferNews.com that surprisingly, they saw a decline in the number of people that utilized their service initially. He explained that some of that is due to people receiving more benefits from the government, as well as the fact that Grow it Forward began giving away boxes of food as well. “The first weekend they did it, I was working at the house,” He said. “I wanted to drive by to see how they were doing…I was coming down 10th Street, and cars were lined up over the bridge…I was impressed!”
It doesn’t bother the Director of Peter’s Pantry that people went to other places to get their food, because as long as people are being fed, he is happy. He also said people would be foolish not to take advantage of these food programs. “Even if you don’t need the food, it’s there for you,” he said. “If you can save a little on food costs, you maybe can do something you couldn’t afford to do before. Maybe take in a movie or two, or go out to eat once.”
Shulander says they have arrangements with suppliers such as Kwik Trip, Festival Foods, and a recent addition, Meijer. Woody said they “are going there to get product, plus they gave us money to purchase from them. We are going to use that grant to get fresh produce and things of that nature on a regular basis.”
Peter’s Pantry is located at the corner of South 21st and Franklin Streets, and serve all of Manitowoc County.
Applying to receive food is as simple as giving them your name and address.
